Anfields Rocket has had his merit rating elevated from 107 to 118 following his success in the Gr1 WSB SA Classic for three-year-olds over 1800m on the Turffontein standside track on Saturday 4 March.
The Handicappers were of the unanimous view that 4th placed EYE OF THE PROPHET made for the best line horse here, which leaves him unchanged on a mark of 113.
In rating the race this way. 5th finisher ROYAL VICTORY runs to his mark of 112, which therefore remains unchanged and which effectively makes him a line horse as well.
Anfields Rocket after his WSB Gr1 SA Classic (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
Runner-up JIMMY DON was raised from 105 to 116, while 3rd finisher BILLY BOWLEGS goes up from 106 to 114. There were also increases for STAR COIN, who is up from 98 to 109, and for RULE BY FORCE, who is up to 108 from 102.
The only ratings drop was for MONEY HEIST, who is down from 108 to 106.
Wilgerbosdrift Gr1 SA Fillies Classic
BLESS MY STARS has had her rating raised from 103 to 109 after capturing the Grade 1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic for three-year-old fillies over 1800m at Turffontein on Saturday. Here it was the consistent runner-up FEATHER BOA who was deemed to make for the best line horse, which leaves her unchanged on a rating of 108.
3rd placed NONE OTHER has been raised from 101 to 104. Significantly, NONE OTHER had achieved a rating of 104 when finishing 2nd in the Grade 3 Sea Cottage Stakes at her most recent start, but the specific conditions of that race did not allow for any ratings increases beyond the winner and as such NONE OTHER remained on a mark of 101. As no such restrictions apply in the Fillies Classic, she has now been raised to the 104 she effectively should have already been going into the race.
There were also increases for 4th finisher SILVER HILLS, who is up from 93 to 100, and for GIMMEALIGHT, who goes from 87 to 93.
There were no ratings drops for any runner in this race.
WSB Gr2 Hawaii Stakes
UNDER YOUR SPELL remains unchanged on a rating of 114 after she landed the Grade 2 WSB Hawaii Stakes over 1400m at Turffontein on Saturday. Here it was runner-up RED SAXON who was used as the line horse, which leaves him unchanged on a mark of 116. In assessing the race this way UNDER YOUR SPELL only runs to a mark of 112, hence her unaltered rating.
3rd placed HUMDINGER goes up from 103 to 107, 4th finisher FOREVER MINE is up from 107 to 109, while the only other increase was for 6th finisher TEAM GOLD, who goes up from 102 to 106 to ensure that he would face the 102-rated 8th placed IRISH TRACTOR on the correct terms were they to meet in a handicap race.
Two horses were given a rating’s drop. MK’S PRIDE is down from 122 to 120, while CAPTAIN PEG drops to 104 from 106.
Europa Point Listed Drum Star Handicap
INFINITE WONDER has had his rating raised from 95 to 103 after winning the Europa Point Drum Star Handicap over 1800m at Turffontein on Saturday. It was runner-up LITIGATION who was used as the line horse here, leaving him unchanged on a rating of 113. The winner was 5 pounds or 2.5 kgs under sufferance at the weights, which is largely the reason behind his substantial rating increase.
Similarly, 3rd placed FLASHY APACHE was 6 pounds or 3 kgs under sufferance at the weights, and accordingly has had his rating adjusted from 94 to 98.
There were no other rating increases, but four horses were given a drop. PLATINUM SKY is down from 100 to 99, SECOND BASE is down to 106 from 109, CRIMSON KING drops to 99 from 102, and lastly DUKE OF SUSSEX was dropped from 100 to 99.
Listed Breeders Guineas
EKORIA remains unchanged on a mark of 108 after winning the Listed Breeders Guineas for three-year-old fillies over 1600m on the turf course at Fairview on Friday 3 March. The Handicappers took the view that 5th placed DOUBLE DESTINY made for the best line horse here, which leaves her unchanged on a rating of 87. In rating the race this way EKORIA only runs to a mark of 94, hence her unchanged rating.
2nd placed RIMAAH was raised from 85 to 91, while 3rd placed HAZY CRAZY NIGHT goes up from 76 to 91. There were also ratings increases for 4th finisher EASY LIVING, who is up from 78 to 87, and for STRAWBERRY LIGHT, who goes from 77 to 81.
The only drop was for CHERE FOR ME, who is down from 87 to 85.
- Media release published by National Horseracing Authority on 7 March 2023
